2011 Division Series MLB Umpires

Click on picture to view larger image

MLB to hold Umpire Camp for members of the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy at Petco Park

As a part of the ongoing spirit of partnership with the United States military, Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the San Diego Padres and the San Diego Sports Commission, will host a free, one-day Umpire Camp for members of the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy. The event, which is the latest in a series of events that have been tailored for U.S. servicemen and servicewomen, will be held at San Diego's PETCO Park on Friday, August 26 from 9:30 a.m-3:00 p.m.

Members of the MLB Umpiring Department who will be in attendance will include Umpiring Director Rich Rieker; Umpiring Director Randy Marsh (U.S. Army Reserve, 1968-1974); Supervisors Cris Jones, Chuck Meriwether, Ed Montague (U.S. Navy, 1969-1973), Steve Palermo, Charlie Reliford, and Larry Young; Director of Umpire Administration Tom Lepperd; Special Assistant for Umpiring Bruce Froemming; and Director of Umpire Medical Services Mark Letendre.

"The events that Major League Baseball has organized for the members of the military have been among the most rewarding experiences we have ever been a part of," Rieker said. "We are looking forward to another great day in San Diego." Marsh added: "The opportunity to work with these men and women is inspiring, and we are honored to give some of our nation's heroes a glimpse of a career on the baseball field."

The Major League Baseball Umpire Camps train both aspiring umpires and baseball fans alike. Launched in 2006, the MLB Umpire Camps featured on-field training and classroom instruction, as well as lessons on rules enforcement and interpretation, game management, conditioning, nutrition, safety and equipment needs. The MLB Umpire Camp, which is scheduled for November 6-13, 2011, is held annually each November at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.

The free one-day Umpire Camp at PETCO Park is the latest in a series of steps that the MLB Umpiring Department has taken as a gesture to honor members of our nation's military. This past May, a free one-day Umpire Camp for Marines was held at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Last August, a free one-day Umpire Camp was held at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. In March 2009, during the World Baseball Classic, MLB and the Department of Military Affairs of the San Diego Padres organized a free one-day Umpire Camp for Marines at San Diego State University's Tony Gwynn Stadium. More than 100 Marines attended each of these special MLB Umpire Camps, receiving instruction from MLB staff on all facets of umpiring.

In addition, in January 2010, Major League Baseball announced a collaboration with Columbia College (MO), a leader in military-friendly education, on the development of a certificate of professional umpiring. Following the completion of online coursework in subjects relevant to sports officiating, the program incorporates a week-long training program at the MLB Umpire Camp in California.

For more than 30 years, Columbia College has helped military personnel, their family members and Department of Defense civilians earn college degrees during their service. One out of every four students at Columbia College is in the military or is a military dependent, and 18 of the institution's 35 nationwide campus locations are located on military bases.

Majestic On-Field MLB Umpire T-Shirt

The one and only 100% heavy weight cotton MLB logo t-shirt. Authentic Collection Majestic Athletic tee shirt with the 3 X 2 inch MLB logo on the front. AC transfer locker tag on the bottom of the shirt. This is the authentic on-field shirt worn by players and umpires. Check out majorleagueumpires.com if you are interested in purchasing this hard to find t-shirt. Now only $34.95.

Umpire Derryl Cousins Biography (Crew Chief)

CAREER: Joined the Major League staff in 1979...has worked the All-Star Game (1987, 98, 2008), Division Series (1997, 99, 2002, 05, 07), League Championship Series (1985, 89, 95, 2003, 06, 08, 10) and World Series (1988, 99, 2005)...served as crew chief at the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium...was the crew chief for the semi-finals and finals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium...became just the 18th umpire ever to work his 4,000th Major League game on May 2, 2009 at Seattle; as was the case in the 2008 All-Star Game, he was behind the plate for all 15 innings as he reached the milestone in the A's-Mariners tilt...was an instructor at MLB's inaugural Umpire Camps (MLBUC.com), held at MLB's Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California, in November 2006...worked in the Midwest League (1973), Carolina League (1974), Texas League (1975), Pacific Coast League (1976-78), Arizona Instructional League (1973-75), Dominican (1976) and Puerto Rican Winter Leagues (1978).

PERSONAL: Born in August 1946 in California...resides in southern California...married to Shawna...has two children, Cas and Cole...studied political science and received his degree from El Camino Community College in California...inducted into the El Camino College Hall of Fame in 2004...played professional baseball in the Detroit and Cleveland organizations from 1966-72...enjoys traveling in the off-season...favorite vacation spot is Hawaii...hobbies include golf.

Umpire Sam Holbrook Biography

Sam Holbrook became a member of the Major League staff in 1998...has worked the 2004 All-Star Game, the Division Series (2005, 07, 10), the 2008 American League Championship Series, the 2009 National League Championship Series and the 2010 World Series...previously worked in the Appalachian League (1990), Midwest League (1991), Carolina League (1992-93), Texas League (1993), Eastern League (1994-95) and International League (1995-97)...proudest moment was walking on the field for the first time under contract.

Sam was born in July 1965 in Kentucky...resides in Kentucky...married to Susie...has two children, Adam and Amy...received a B.S. and an M.S. from Eastern Kentucky University...does charitable work for Fellowship of Christian Athletes...played baseball for four years in college...enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, and spending time with his family...most admires his parents for the job they did raising their family.

Umpire Thomas Gorman Biography

Thomas David Gorman (March 16, 1919 – August 11, 1986) was an American pitcher and umpire in Major League Baseball who pitched five innings in four games for the New York Giants in 1939, and went on to serve as a National League umpire from 1951 to 1976 and then as a league supervisor. His son Brian has been a major league umpire since 1993.

Gorman was born in New York City and grew up in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. After pitching in the minor leagues for three years, he served in the Army in Europe as a member of the 16th Infantry during World War II. An injury in 1946 ended his playing career; faced with the choice of returning to New York City and becoming a plumber, he became aware of an umpiring position in the New England League, and although he felt he was not cut out to be an umpire, his wife persuaded him to take the position for the 1947 season for $180 per month. He later moved up to the International League in 1949. He also coached baseball at Rice High School in Manhattan, a Christian Brothers school.

After joining the NL staff, he umpired in the World Series in 1956, 1958, 1963, 1968 and 1974, serving as crew chief in the last two Series. In 1956, he was in left field for Don Larsen's perfect game. In Game 1 of the 1968 Series, he called balls and strikes as Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals struck out a Series-record 17 Detroit Tigers.

He also officiated in the National League Championship Series in 1971 and 1975, serving as crew chief in 1971, and in the three-game playoff to determine the NL champion in 1959. He also worked in the All-Star Game in 1954, 1958, 1960 (both games) and 1969, calling balls and strikes for the second half of the second 1960 game. During a game in the 1962 season, he discovered that the Giants (by now in San Francisco) were having their groundskeepers water down the Candlestick Park infield to slow down the Los Angeles Dodgers' Maury Wills; Gorman stopped the game for an hour and a half to allow the field to dry out.

Among the notable games in which he umpired were nine no-hitters, tying a record for NL umpires shared by Frank Secory and Augie Donatelli; he tied the mark on July 9, 1976, working second base in Larry Dierker's 6-0 win. Paul Pryor, who also officiated in that game, tied the mark himself later that year, and broke it upon working in his 10th no-hitter in 1978. Gorman was the home plate umpire for two no-hitters – Warren Spahn's first on September 16, 1960,[4] and Bill Stoneman's first on April 17, 1969. He was the left field umpire for Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series.[6] He was the home plate umpire on June 15, 1952 when the St. Louis Cardinals set an NL record by overcoming an 11-0 deficit to beat the Giants 14-12, and again two weeks later on June 29 when the Chicago Cubs scored seven runs with two out in the ninth inning to beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-8. Two years later, on August 8, 1954, he was again the home plate umpire when the Reds gave up a record 12 runs (all of them unearned) after there were two out and no one base in the eighth inning of a 20-7 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers; the inning ended only when Gil Hodges' bid for a grand slam was caught high off the center field wall. And on May 2, 1956, he was again behind the plate as the Giants and Cubs used 48 players in a 6-5, 17-inning New York victory; Cub Don Hoak struck out a record six times against six different pitchers.

In 1975 he was honored by the Al Somers Umpire School as the Outstanding Umpire of 1974. In his acceptance remarks, he said of umpiring, "It's a hard road but a good road. Sometimes you'll ask yourself if it's worth it. If you've got the guts and the skills, the answer is bound to be yes." He added, "People may come to see ballplayers, but there'd be no baseball without good umpires. Mad magazine ran an article presenting hypothetical magazines from other planets. In the interplanetary version of Sports Illustrated, umpire Tom Gorman explains why he threw out a player from Venus: "He opened up ten mouths to me!

Gorman married Margaret Fay on October 7, 1944, and they had three sons and a daughter before her death c. 1968; they resided in Whitestone, Queens until 1965, when they moved to Closter, New Jersey, where he would live until his death.



Prior to moving to Closter, he and Margaret were invited to the White House by John F. Kennedy. Kennedy had met Gorman at a banquet where Gorman was the guest speaker. Gorman went home and told his wife to buy a new dress and she replied, "What for?" and he said, "For our trip to the White House." Margaret just ignored him until a White House staff member called their home and asked about their travel plans... It's said that Kennedy said that Gorman was his favorite "after dinner speaker." Gorman was also personal friends with Bob Hope. Gorman's autobiography Three and Two!, co-written with Hall of Fame Sportswriter Jerome Holtzman, was published in 1979. Gorman died of a heart attack in Closter at age 67, and was buried in George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, in his umpire's uniform with the ball-strike counter set at 3-2.

West Vest Umpire Mask A3009

The original West Vest mask features a unique lightweight frame and soft "amara suede" padding. Combines an expanded throat and ear bar for maximum protection. It is light weight, solidly protective and includes the extended frame popular in the US. This mask is a quality piece of umpire equipment and is currently worn by some Major League Umpires.

MLB Major League Umpire Hat

Long sought after but hard to get, the MLB Umpire fitted hat by New Era is always in high demand and low supply. Most people don’t even know that retailers now have to carry the Umpire hat as a custom order and are not readily for purchase from New Era. This hat available in a variety of sizes at www.majorleagueumpires.com It is available in fitted and adjustable. Check them out before they are gone.

Frank Dezelan Remembered

Former National League umpire Frank Dezelan passed away on Monday at Manor Care Health Services in Monroeville, Pa. He was 81. Dezelan served as an NL umpire from 1966-71.

Dezelan was behind the plate on Sept. 22, 1969, when Willie Mays hit his 600th career home run in San Diego. Dezelan also served as one of the umpires for the 1970 All-Star Game at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, a game best known for the Ray Fosse-Pete Rose collision.

The Pittsburgh-area native also was the first-base umpire for the first game at Three Rivers Stadium on July 16, 1970.

Dezelan's professional career in blue began in 1958 in the Northern League, with stops in the South Atlantic League, Pacific Coast League, Southern League and International League before reaching the Majors.

MLU Welcomes Dan Bellino to the 2011 Staff

Dan Bellino has been selected to the Major League staff for the 2011 season..has umpired professionally since 2003…has been assigned to work Major League Spring Training each year since 2009…has been called up to the Majors each year since 2008...has 156 days of service at the Major League level…made his Major League umpiring debut on June 25, 2008, when the Orioles played the Cubs at Wrigley Field…has worked in the New York-Penn League (2003), Midwest League (2004), Florida State League (2005), Eastern League (2006), Pacific Coast League (2007-2009) and International League (2010)…worked the Arizona Instructional League (2005), Hawaii Winter League (2006), Arizona Fall League (2007-2008) and Puerto Rico Winter League (2009). Born in October 1978, resides in Illinois. He holds a law degree (J.D.), an MBA & has passed the bar exam.

WHW2PDCREC5G

MLU Welcomes Brian Knight to the 2011 Staff

Congratulations to Brian Knight for being selected to the Major League staff for the 2011 season…has 730 days of service in the Major Leagues as a call-up umpire in his career…has worked Major League Spring Training since 2001…he’s been called up to the Majors each year since 2001…first Major League game was May 7, 2001 (White Sox at Rangers), when Brian was at third base. Brian was a Minor League Baseball umpire from 1995-2010, most recently in the Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) from 2000-2010. He is 36 and is a Montana resident.

MLU Welcomes Scott Berry to the 2011 Staff

Congratulations to Scott Berry after for being selected to the Major League staff for the 2011 season…has 529 days of service in the Major Leagues as a call-up umpire in his career…has worked Major League Spring Training since 2006…he’s been called up to the Majors each year since 2006…first Major League game was June 4, 2006 (Red Sox at Tigers) when Scott was at third base. Scott was a Minor League Baseball umpire from 2000-2010, most recently in the International League (Triple-A) from 2005-2010. He is 34 and is a Michigan resident.

2011 Major League Umpire Crews

Umpire Doug Harvey Biography

Harold Douglas Harvey (born March 13, 1930, in South Gate, California) is a former umpire in Major League Baseball, who worked in the National League from 1962 through 1992. Noted for his authoritative command of baseball rules, he earned the tongue in cheek nickname "God" from players, and was among the last major league umpires who never attended an umpiring school. His career total of 4,673 games[1] ranked third in major league history at his retirement, and he is only the ninth umpire to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.[1] In 1999 the Society for American Baseball Research ranked Harvey as the second-greatest umpire in history, behind only Bill Klem. In 2007, Referee magazine selected him as one of the 52 most influential figures in the history of sports officiating.

Harvey umpired in five World Series (1968, 1974, 1981, 1984 and 1988), serving as crew chief in 1984 and 1988, and in six All-Star Games (1963, 1964, 1971, 1977, 1982 and 1992), calling balls and strikes for the 1982 and 1992 games. He also set a record by officiating in the National League Championship Series nine times – 1970 (Games 2-3), 1972, 1976, 1980, 1983, 1984 (Game 5), 1986, 1989 and 1991 – serving as crew chief for the last three; his record was later tied by Paul Runge, and broken by Bruce Froemming in 2000. Harvey was the home plate umpire for the single-game playoff to decide the NL's Western Division champion in 1980, between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Harvey began officiating local basketball games at the high school level at age 16, later umpiring softball and baseball. He attended San Diego State College in 1955-56, where he played baseball and football, afterward returning to umpiring in the minor leagues while also officiating college basketball and football games. He remained a resident of San Diego throughout his umpiring career. He umpired in the California League from 1958 to 1960, and in the Pacific Coast League in 1961. He married Joy Ann Glascock on September 24, 1960, and the couple had two sons, Scott and Todd. Upon reaching the majors on April 10,1962, his greatest influences were umpires Al Barlick, Jocko Conlan and Shag Crawford, each of whom gave him invaluable advice in developing his skills – Barlick for his renowned mastery of the rules, Conlan for helping him appreciate the fun of umpiring, and Crawford for his tremendous work ethic. He was easily recognizable due to his thick white hair, which had already gone completely gray when he was in his 30s, leading to the early nickname of "Silver," and in 1971 he grew a handlebar mustache, at a time when no major league field personnel had worn facial hair since the 1940s; he kept it trimmed to the edges of his mouth, and he wore it for one season. In the latter part of his career, Harvey became known for appearing in the "You Make the Call" segments on the televised Game of the Week. In 1974, the Players Association conducted polls of players in both leagues to identify and rank the best umpires (the New York Mets did not participate); Harvey was named the top NL umpire, being the only official in the league rated as "excellent." In 1987, a Sports Illustrated poll of NL catchers ranked him as the third best umpire in the league for calling balls and strikes, with one voter saying he "still cares about doing the best possible job." In 1990, Sport magazine named him the best umpire in the game, citing his unbending application of the rules and noting his campaign to enforce the balk rule two seasons earlier, when he said, "Give me 10 high school pitchers, let me spend a week with them, and I'll show you 10 pitchers who won't balk. It's not that difficult. So they better learn it." Harvey's goal of umpiring until age 65 ended on October 4,1992, at age 62, when knee problems necessitated his retirement. He nonetheless became the first NL umpire since Bill Klem to work for more than 30 years, finishing with 31 years in the major leagues; his 4,673 games then ranked third in major league history behind Klem (5,374) and Tommy Connolly (4,769).

Among the notable games in which Harvey worked was the final game of the 1972 season in which Roberto Clemente collected his 3,000th (and last) base hit off of the New York Mets' Jon Matlack. He was the home plate umpire on September 10, 1963, when brothers Jesus, Matty and Felipe Alou batted consecutively for the San Francisco Giants, and also on June 3, 1987, when the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs hit a combined three grand slams at Wrigley Field.

Harvey regarded his greatest contribution to baseball as being the introduction of a new sense of timing to umpiring; he noted that when he arrived in the major leagues, the emphasis was on making calls quickly and decisively, and said, "Everything was called too quickly. I've got a photograph of Jocko Conlan working first base. Jocko's arm was extended in the out call. But the runner was still short of the bag, and the ball was still in flight. In those days it was common to anticipate the call." Harvey, however, changed attitudes by insisting that it was better to delay the call and make sure it was correct.

In August 1997, Harvey was diagnosed with oral cancer, which was attributed to his longtime use of chewing tobacco. He has since become active in speaking to ballplayers and students about the dangers of tobacco use. He no longer uses the product that caused him to develop oral cancer.

In both 2003 and 2007, Harvey was the leading candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame in voting by Hall members on the Veterans Committee composite ballot for managers, umpires and executives; however, his totals of 48 and 52 votes in the two elections fell short of the 60 and 62 necessary for election. Under new rules established by the Hall in 2007, he was again eligible for election in 2008, but fell one vote short of the required 12 votes. On July 25, 2010, he was finally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. On December 7, 2009, Harvey was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Hall of Fame Veterans' Committee and was inducted on July 25, 2010.